To run out of steam means to lose energy, strength, or motivation before something is finished.
The idiom comes from the era of steam engines such as old trains and factory machines. When the boiler no longer produced enough steam, the engine would slow down and eventually stop.
The idiom comes from the era of steam engines such as old trains and factory machines. When the boiler no longer produced enough steam, the engine would slow down and eventually stop.
We were making good progress on the hike, but I ran out of steam near the top of the hill.